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Navigating the vast vacuum market can be daunting, but selecting the ideal model streamlines your cleaning routine, transforming it from a chore to a breeze. Whether you're tackling pet fur, thick carpets, or everyday messes, we're here to break down the best vacuums for your needs.
After testing over 140 vacuums, we've gained a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses through rigorous tests on various floors, debris types, pet hair, and even filtration capabilities. Our goal is to help you choose a vacuum you'll love, eliminating surprises and making it easier to keep your home clean and tidy for years to come.
If you want vacuuming to be less of an exhausting chore, we suggest the Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight stick vacuum. It's one of the easiest vacuums we have ever used while still providing great cleaning performance for routine cleaning. However, if you require a workhorse, you'll need to be tethered to an outlet to provide long-lasting power to complete the job. We recommend the Shark Stratos upright vacuum for deep cleaning, especially for large households.
If you're looking for a budget option that performed well on our cleaning tests, check out the Eureka QuickShift OmniVerse. It rivaled the Stratos, though not as user-friendly. Want a vacuum to do the work for you? The Roborock Q5 is our favorite robot vacuum, thanks to its affordable price point and smart navigation, delivering reliable maintenance cleaning while you're out.
Editor's Note: On April 24, 2025, we completely changed this guide to provide a look at the advantages and disadvantages of different vacuum types and provide a selection for special performers.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Finding the Right Vacuum for Your Home
Unfortunately, there's no single vacuum that solves every cleaning challenge. That's why we start by breaking down each vacuum type, highlighting their strengths and trade-offs. From there, we showcase the top performers from our testing and suggest budget-friendly alternatives. Finally, we dive into specific cleaning needs—like dealing with pet hair, improving air quality for allergy sufferers, and keeping rugs clean. Let's get started.
Cordless Stick, Upright, or Canister Vacuum?
We kick things off with the big three: cordless stick, upright, and canister vacuums. One of these will most likely be your primary vacuum, a good place to start for your cleaning toolkit.
There's lots to consider when choosing a vacuum. Lucky for you, we have done the testing to find out which are the best.
Vacuum types vary widely—not just in function, but in design and appearance too. Luckily, we've tested them all!
Cordless stick vacuums: Lightweight, quick, and incredibly handy. Cordless stick vacuums offer unmatched convenience, letting you clean freely without a cord and convert to handheld mode for tight spots like stairs or car seats. Their slim, lightweight build is great for quick cleanups and small spaces—but expect a higher price, shorter battery life, and smaller dustbins, making them less ideal for deep cleaning big homes.
Upright vacuums: Big cleaning power, smaller price tag. The plug-in design of upright vacuums delivers consistent power without the hassle of battery upkeep, making them reliable workhorses, especially for deep carpet cleaning where steady suction matters most. Though heavier and less maneuverable on stairs or in tight corners, their large dustbins and powerful performance are well-suited for families tackling high-traffic areas and thick rugs.
Canister vacuums: Power in the back, control up front. Canister vacuums offer a balance of powerful suction and flexible control, with a lightweight wand and a motor unit that rolls behind you. They excel on hard floors but aren't the best for carpets, since most lack a roller to agitate fibers. While the base is bulkier than other types, it takes the weight out of your hands—ideal for users who want deep cleaning without the arm strain of an upright.
Who It's Best For: Cordless stick vacuums are ideal for anyone who wants lightweight, grab-and-go convenience without the hassle of a power cord—no plugging, unplugging, or dragging around furniture. They're especially great for quick daily cleanups and multitasking around the house. The Vertex Light Pro Lightweight takes that convenience even further. As one tester put it, “I came to rely on its user-friendly features and strong cleaning capabilities across all floor types—it's the one I reach for first.”
Why We Love It: Its dual-roller system—combining a soft roller for hard floors and a standard roller for carpets—was more effective than typical single-head setups by easily picking up large, awkward debris that many vacuums just push around—the kind that's frustrating when left behind. We also appreciated the foldable wand, which bends outward to make cleaning under furniture easier, saving our backs in the process. Compared to the bulk of an upright and the awkward trailing of a canister, this cordless design felt refreshingly nimble and freeing.
Should You Buy It? It's not the strongest when it comes to cleaning deep debris, especially sand in plush carpets, and the limited battery life and small dustbin mean you'll likely need to clean in shorter bursts. For larger homes or heavy-duty cleaning, a corded upright might be the better choice. While its mid-range price is higher than many corded models, the Vertex's versatility—converting to a handheld and tackling a variety of surfaces—adds long-term value. One vacuum specialist put it best: “Ultimately, the reduced effort in cleaning makes the Vertex a rewarding choice every time you use it—and that's what makes it worth the investment.”
It's a major difference when working with a convenient stick vacuum compared to a conventional corded model. Less time and hassle spent cleaning means more time for ourselves, something we truly appreciate.
Who It's Best For: If you want cordless convenience without overspending, the Levoit LVAC-200 offers standout performance at a budget-friendly price. It's a great fit for apartment dwellers, first-time buyers, college students, or anyone outfitting a smaller home with mostly low-pile carpet and lighter messes. Its compact design and low-maintenance upkeep make it ideal for those who want reliable cleaning without the hassle. While it may not be the best match for shag carpets or heavy pet hair, it offers excellent value for everyday use.
Why We Love It: During testing, what impressed us most was how simple and user-friendly this vacuum felt at every step. Its lightweight design made it easy to maneuver, and the cleaning results came surprisingly close to those of much more expensive models—especially on low-pile carpet. Emptying the dustbin was quick, and cleaning the filters and brush roller was straightforward. “I felt like everything about this vacuum was designed with simplicity and convenience in mind,” mentioned our lead reviewer, Rachael Lamore.
Should You Buy It? Its lower power means it takes more passes to fully lift debris, which cuts into the quick, effortless feel that makes cordless stick vacuums so appealing. Like many lower-powered models, it struggles with deep cleaning thicker carpets and pulling out embedded pet hair, while corded vacuums at the same price point deliver stronger suction to overcome these challenges. Still, while its suction limits how much you can rely on it as your primary vacuum, it's a smart choice for routine touch-ups and smaller messes. For the cost, you'll get plenty of utility without sacrificing convenience.
Here you can see the stark difference in cleaning performance of cheaper stick models. The Levoit (left) did a good job in our stringent tests, leaving only a small amount of debris, while the Homeika (center) left so much sand that you can see a haze that left the carpet looking dirty, and the Bissell (right) tended to make more of a mess than actually clean.
Who It's Best For: The Shark Stratos is best for households that need a vacuum built for deep, thorough cleaning—especially in larger homes with a mix of floor types. This upright is ideal for high-traffic areas, homes with pets, and anyone prioritizing power and strong filtration. One reviewer put it simply: “It's not a vacuum you'll want to pull out for quick daily touch-ups, but for serious cleaning days, it's a workhorse.”
Why We Love It: During testing, the Stratos impressed us with its strong cleaning across all surfaces—especially hardwood, where it often cleared debris in a single pass. While it can't match the agility of a stick vacuum, it stands out among uprights thanks to its smooth glide, tight swivel steering, and rollers that nearly propel it forward. The detachable canister added welcome versatility as noted by one reviewer, “helping me clean under furniture, on stairs, and even reaching areas high above - places most uprights simply can't get to.”
Should You Buy It? If your home demands powerful, whole-house cleaning and you don't mind a larger machine, this vacuum delivers excellent value. It's not ideal for plush rugs—where it needed multiple passes—and the fixed brush roll made clearing tangled hair more frustrating. If you've got a ton of thick carpet, the Kenmore Intuition is a standout amongst ALL vacuums for its ability to clean rugs. But for mixed flooring and homes that need serious cleaning power, the Stratos stands out for its performance and surprising ease of use.
There are so many things to love about this vacuum: a decent bin size, great roller head design, and a Lift-Away feature made it stand out from the competition.
Who It's Best For: For those looking to spend less without giving up cleaning performance, the Eureka QuickShift OmniVerse is a top budget pick in our upright vacuum review. At around $200, it's a great match for smaller homes, apartments, or anyone who wants a lighter, compact upright. While it skips the bells and whistles of high-end models, it excels where it matters most: cleaning ability—delivering strong results on hard floors and low-pile carpet that rival vacuums twice its price.
Why We Love It: The OmniVerse stood out in testing for its ability to handle everything from fine dirt to large debris like cereal—something many budget vacuums struggle with. Instead of pushing messes around, the vacuum head uses wide openings to let larger debris reach the brush roller, while at the other end of the spectrum, the bristles help loosen and lift difficult material like sand. This successful design gave it better overall cleaning performance than most uprights in its class, including “surprisingly effective pickup on shag carpet—a surface where many vacuums fall short,” noted our lead tester, Rachael.
Should You Buy It? The impressive value comes with a few compromises. It doesn't steer as smoothly as higher-end uprights, and it lacks the sleek look and durable feel of more premium models. Its one standout feature, meant to make cleaning under furniture more manageable, noted one reviewer, “felt a bit underwhelming and finicky in practice.” If you're not concerned with premium extras and want solid, straightforward cleaning power, this model is an excellent budget-friendly choice.
Who It Is Best For: The Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Powerline is ideal for those who want powerful, reliable cleaning—especially on hard floors. If you don't mind pulling a canister behind you in exchange for better reach, lighter handling at the wand, and a large dust bag, this product delivers one of the best overall cleaning experiences we've seen in a canister vacuum.
Why We Love It: It delivered the strongest suction we've ever measured in our lab, making it a standout among all vacuum types. That power translated to excellent hard floor performance, with visible results after just one pass. Its oversized 4.5-liter bag held far more than most, meaning fewer emptying trips—and because it's a bagged model, there were no clouds of dust to deal with. While pulling the canister takes some getting used to, the lightweight wand made it easy to clean under furniture and reach overhead without strain.
Should You Buy It? Carpet performance isn't its strong suit, largely because it lacks a motorized roller, so fine debris like rice or sand takes a few extra passes to fully lift. It also lacks onboard storage for attachments, and the cost of replacement bags can add up. But if you're looking for something built to last, easy to maintain, and serious suction power, this vacuum provides a niche need.
Cleaning up was tidy with the help of a dust bag for a simple disposal.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Vacuums to Add to Your Cleaning Arsenal
Beyond the main vacuum types, there are plenty of other options built for specific cleaning situations. These tools may not replace your primary vacuum, but they can fill in the gaps where standard models fall short.
We look at every aspect of cordless wet dry vacuum use, including the ease of storage.
Robot vacuums: Offer effortless upkeep with minimal effort. They glide under furniture, dodge obstacles, and can be controlled by app or voice for scheduled, automated cleaning. While convenient, they're less effective on thick carpets or heavy messes, and their small dustbins require frequent emptying. Many models still get stuck or miss spots, but for busy homes, they're a smart investment that saves time and keeps your space feeling consistently neater day to day.
Handheld vacuums: Pack power into a pint-sized package. Their compact, cordless design makes them perfect for quick cleanups, from car seats to couch cushions. While they lack the suction strength and capacity of full-size models, they shine in tight spaces and on-the-go messes. Most need frequent recharging and aren't cut out for whole-room cleaning—but as a backup or spot-cleaning tool, they're a must-have for pet owners, busy parents, and anyone who wants to tidy up without hauling out the big vacuum.
Wet-dry shop vacuums: Built for serious messes—think sawdust, spills, and post-renovation debris. Their powerful suction, large capacity, and rugged construction make them ideal for garages, workshops, and heavy-duty cleanups. While they're louder, bulkier, and require filter swaps when switching between wet and dry modes, they're a reliable go-to for DIYers, pet owners, and anyone needing tough, no-nonsense cleaning power.
Who It's Best For: The Roborock Q5 is the solution to automated floor cleaning without shelling out for a premium robot vacuum that could easily cost over a thousand dollars. It's a great fit for busy households with pets, kids, or busy schedules, delivering consistent daily upkeep. If you're okay stepping in occasionally for corner cleanups or heavier debris, this vacuum is a great pick for anyone looking to invest in more than just a gimmicky robot—it's a reliable cleaning companion you can count on.
Why We Love It: Although it's not the smartest robot vacuum on the market, testers appreciated its thoughtful features. “I like that it slows down before approaching objects—unlike other models that just barrel into furniture,” noted one reviewer, highlighting its ability to avoid common trouble spots without getting stuck. The app setup is straightforward, and features like customizable room mapping and scheduling make it easy to tailor to your specific house. “I was pleasantly surprised by how tidy the vacuum left my home,” another tester shared—even though robot vacuums typically fall short when it comes to deep cleaning.
Should You Buy It? For under $400, this cleaner delivers standout value in the robot vacuum market. Its low clearance limits performance on thick rugs and with larger debris, and it's not as obstacle-savvy as premium models, so you'll want to pick up socks and cords to avoid hang-ups. While it handled pet hair well, we did notice more frequent roller clogs than with higher-end robots. It's a reliable robot vacuum that will clean up your house, while most other models at this price point will just run into the first thing and get hung up.
The Q5 does well at picking up small to medium-sized debris like rice and Cheerios. While we want a better performance to rid dirt that lurks below, it does a good job of visually cleaning the home, which kept us happy in between busting out the upright vacuum for a deeper clean.
Who It's Best For: The Wyze Robot Vacuum is best for those curious about robot vacuums but not ready—or willing—to spend hundreds of dollars. It's a strong fit for budget-conscious users who want basic automation without sacrificing reliable cleaning. It's best for users who don't mind prepping their space, like picking up cords or socks, since it lacks advanced features like object recognition. While it doesn't include a self-emptying base, it still offers consistent cleaning and efficient room coverage, making it a strong entry-level option for keeping floors tidy with minimal effort.
Why We Love It: During testing, the Wyze consistently punched above its weight. Most vacuums at this price point bounce around randomly and miss entire areas, but the Wyze uses a methodical approach that ensures thorough coverage. We found it cleaned more effectively than expected, even outshining pricier models that put more emphasis on flashy features than on actual cleaning results. While it struggled a bit with edges and corners, we appreciated how reliably it handled the bulk of each room, proving that solid navigation can often matter more than bells and whistles.
Should You Buy It? For the price, the Wyze Robot Vacuum is one of the most compelling values we tested. It does bump into furniture more often than higher-end models and lacks premium features like a self-emptying dock, but those trade-offs are reasonable given the savings. We recommend this as the best ultra-budget robot vacuum—while some competitors may cost a bit less, they often underdeliver on cleaning and create more frustration than help. If you're looking for a true bargain that still gets the job done, the Wyze is the one to get.
The robot's methodical cleaning pattern, starting with the room's edge and then moving in organized rows, is easily seen. In contrast, Wyze's struggles with corners and deep cleaning are also visually apparent.
Who It's Best For: Handheld vacuums shine when you need a compact, quick-reach solution—and the Black+Decker Furbuster AdvanceClean+ is a top contender in this category. If your main vacuum struggles to reach into car crevices, stairs, or windowsills, this model fills that gap with power and portability. It's particularly useful for pet owners and parents dealing with constant spot messes, especially when hauling out a full-size vacuum feels like overkill.
Why We Love It: Its strong suction and motorized brush tool gave it a clear edge over other handhelds, especially when tackling fur and stubborn debris. The integrated crevice tool made it easy to reach into tight corners, and the relatively large bin emptied cleanly with a single button press—a similar design to stick vacuums and an upgrade compared to so many awkward bin designs of other handhelds.
Should You Buy It? It won't replace a full-size vacuum—and it's not meant to—but its solid cleaning power, versatile attachments, and user-friendly design make it more than just a convenience tool. The battery limits long sessions, and the frame's a bit bulkier than ideal, but in practice, we rarely felt held back. It also costs far less than stepping up to a full cordless stick, making it a smart supplement if you already have a reliable primary vacuum. If your routine is missing a targeted spot cleaner, this one's an easy add that's worth it.
Who It's Best For: The Milwaukee M18 0880-20 is a great fit for contractors, DIYers, or anyone needing a rugged, no-fuss shop vac that handles both wet and dry messes with ease. It's especially useful for jobsites, garages, or workshop spaces where cleanup includes a mix of soaked carpets, sawdust, and heavy debris. If you want a vacuum that doesn't need to be babied and can tackle a wide range of messes, this one delivers—without the bulk of traditional rolling shop vacs.
Why We Love It: Its compact, toolbox-style design makes transport and storage easier than most shop vacs, and the onboard hose routing is a standout feature. As our lead tester, Austin Palmer, noted, “The hose routing runs straight into the can—a far better design than the clog-prone elbow I tested on other models.” Add to that the integrated self-retracting hose and onboard tool storage, and you've got a smart, streamlined machine that feels well thought out.
Should You Buy It? If you're looking for a powerful, portable vacuum that skips the bells and whistles in favor of strong performance and solid design, this shop vac is worth the price. That said, its runtime is shorter than average, and it struggled with standing water due to a less-than-ideal floor attachment—not lack of power. It's also heavier than some might expect, especially since you'll need to lift it rather than roll it. Still, its 91-inch hose offsets that somewhat by minimizing how often you need to move it. However, for sheer cleaning versatility in a compact form, it holds serious value.
Once you go beyond simple messes around the house or need a reliable vacuum to handle tough debris in the workshop, reach for the M18. It can handle the worst of the worst.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Performance Across Floor Types
Our reviews evaluate each of the typical surface types found in homes: low pile, hile pile (rugs or shag carpet), and hardwood. This selection of top performers below, spanning diverse vacuum types, allows for a direct comparison of their overall performance, irrespective of their category.
Cleaning Performance Across Floor Types
Product
Low Pile
High Pile
Hardwood
Kenmore Intuition Upright
97
73
84
Eureka OmniVerse Upright
92
65
94
Shark Stratos Upright
97
52
97
Miele Classic C1 Canister
91
54
100
Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight
90
56
96
Eureka Mighty Mite Canister
88
49
99
Shark Stratos Cordless
83
53
97
Shark Detect Pro Cordless
75
40
97
Levoit Cordless
86
42
77
Some vacuums are built with specific surfaces in mind—like the Shark Detect Pro, a slim, lightweight model that excels at light messes on hard floors. Its compact design and smaller motor make it less suited for lifting deeply embedded debris, but ideal for everyday surface cleaning. That's why knowing what kind of flooring you have around the house can make all the difference when picking the right vacuum.
While our top picks above reflect overall performance, including ease of use, pet hair, filtration, and value, this next group of award winners is all about raw cleaning power. These vacuums rose to the top in our toughest cleaning tests, proving they can handle the messiest floors with the fewest passes. If deep cleaning is your top priority, start here.
Who It's Best For: If your home is full of thick carpets and area rugs, the Kenmore Intuition 3-in-1 is one of the best-performing vacuums we've ever tested. This model topped our carpet tests—especially on high-pile rugs, where many vacuums struggled. It's a strong choice for users who prioritize deep carpet cleaning above all else and don't mind managing a bagged system to get top-tier results.
Why We Love It: Despite average suction on paper, it managed to pick up deeply embedded debris like rice and sand, thanks to its vacuum head design and long-bristled roller. It also handled larger debris without pushing it forward, which is a common issue in other uprights. The vacuum was easy to maneuver for its size, and the generously sized dust bag meant fewer interruptions during cleaning.
Should You Buy It? If carpet is your top priority, this upright is your best bet—and a strong value—making it an easy recommendation. It's not the best fit for homes with pets, where it struggled with fur pickup, or for hard floors, where it occasionally left debris behind. While the need to replace bags adds some long-term cost, the benefit is a cleaner disposal process and consistently strong performance on rugs. Its design may feel a bit old-school, and maneuverability declines as the bag gets filled, but if your main goal is tackling thick carpet, nothing in our testing performed better.
A close look at the differences of top performers cleaning high pile carpet in each vacuum category. Our tester noted that the Kenmore Intuition could easily clean up the rest of the testing material with additional passes where many other products plateued and couldn't grab finer material below.
Who It's Best For: If your home is mostly bare floors, the Eureka Mighty Mite is a smart, affordable pick that takes advantage of how easy hard surfaces are to clean. Since bare floors don't require as much suction or agitation as carpets, this vacuum's simple design works remarkably well. In our canister vacuum review, it stood out for delivering strong cleaning results without the need for a powerful motor or premium price tag.
Why We Love It: The Mighty Mite picked up 99% of debris in our hard floor tests, effortlessly handling large particles and stuck-on dirt. Its stiff bristles and wide opening make quick work of messes when pulled toward the user, and the foot-activated bristle control helps switch between surfaces without interruption. Lightweight and compact, “I found it's far easier to store and maneuver than bulkier canisters,” mentioned one reviewer.
Should You Buy It? If you mostly need a vacuum for bare floors and don't want to overspend, the Eureka Mighty Mite is a great value. It's not built for carpets—there's no brush roller, and the wand can loosen occasionally—but for everyday messes on hard surfaces, it offers efficient, reliable performance under $100.
The Mighty Mite is small, but certainly mighty with its effective cleaning power on hard surfaces and pet fur. We also like that it's not as bulky and heavy as a conventional canister.
Who It's Best For: The Shark Stratos Cordless offers a more nimble, cordless alternative—no canister to drag behind, no cord to untangle. If your home has mostly hard floors that don't trap debris the way carpets do, a smaller motor is all you need, and the stick vacuum makes it easy to move quickly from room to room. This is a top pick for homeowners who want fast, efficient cleaning with minimal effort.
Why We Love It: What makes this product stand out is its ability to deliver near-perfect results on hard floors without feeling bulky or overbuilt. It picked up almost all debris in our toughest tests and performed exceptionally well in crevice and edge cleanups, making it ideal for corners and hard-to-reach areas. The dual roller system pulls in both large and fine particles effectively on bare floors, while the soft roller leaves surfaces looking polished. Its debris sensor boosts suction only when needed to preserve battery life, and the foldable wand makes it easy to reach under furniture or store without relying on a wall mount.
Should You Buy It? If you're looking to upgrade from a corded or canister vacuum and want a more flexible way to keep hard floors clean, this vacuum is a worthwhile investment. It's not ideal for homes with lots of rugs or thick carpet, where bulkier uprights still hold an edge, but for bare-floor efficiency and convenience, it's a standout for wood, tile, or vinyl surfaces.
As pet owners, we know the struggle of dealing with the endless shedding of our furry family members. To fight back against pet hair, your best bet is a vacuum with a brush head featuring stiff bristles that can grab those stubborn strands, combined with strong suction to lift clumps of hair. Bonus points if the hair doesn't get tangled in the bristles or stuck in the roller.
We use an overflowing handful of real fur (some from our helpers above) to conduct our pet hair tests. We massage every strand into carpets to replicate what many pet owners see in their homes on a daily basis.
Who It's Best For: If you're dealing with pet hair across floors, furniture, and stairs, the Shark Rotator LA502 is a versatile upright vacuum that's especially well-suited for pet owners. It stood out not just for its excellent carpet cleaning, but for its ability to handle fur throughout the home—something many vacuums struggle to do well. It's ideal for users who want strong, consistent performance, with uninterrupted power and a large dustbin—built to work through every room and capture every last strand of pet hair.
Why We Love It: This model includes a motorized brush attachment and a detachable base, making it easier to clean pet beds, stairs, and upholstery—areas where fur tends to collect. While cordless stick vacuums often excel at getting into these tight spaces, they come with limitations in battery life and dustbin size. The Rotator offers a more robust alternative, delivering powerful suction, larger capacity, and better runtime for deeper cleaning sessions—the kind most of us rely on when tackling the messes our furry friends leave behind.
Should You Buy It? If you're looking for one vacuum that can handle pet hair on carpets, hard floors, and furniture, this vacuum delivers excellent value. It's not without a few drawbacks—its canister mode doesn't power the main floor head, so you'll need to stick to the attachment provided, and some fine debris like sand remained on the filter during testing—but those are minor compromises for a machine this capable. For pet owners tired of underpowered vacuums that leave strands of fur everywhere, this compact yet powerful model offers a whole-home solution.
Pet owners will rejoice at seeing the Rotator's ability to suck up fur. This vacuum performed exceptionally well on low-pile carpets and upholstery, surpassing others in our testing.
Who It's Best For: Pet shedding isn't a one-time cleanup—it's constant. That's why the iRobot Roomba j7+ is a great fit for pet owners who need help keeping fur from piling up day after day. It stood out as the best for managing pet hair across multiple surfaces, making it a smart pick for anyone who wants consistent, automated cleaning with minimal effort. And if your pet has an accident, no need to worry, its mess-detection helps it recognize and avoid problem areas, helping protect the vacuum itself.
Why We Love It: This robot vacuum not only cleaned well—it cleaned smart. It navigates around pet bowls, toys, and even the occasional “accident,” making it one of the most thoughtful robot vacuums we've tested. The automatic emptying base reduces your involvement even further by transferring debris into a sealed bag, so you don't have to constantly empty the dustbin. While it won't reach the dander deep in carpet fibers, its rubber brush rollers did a great job staying tangle-free and lifting fur from bare floors and low-pile carpet.
Should You Buy It? If you're tired of chasing tumbleweeds of fur every day, this robot is a worthwhile investment. It's not a full replacement for deep-cleaning vacuums, but it does a great job of keeping your space looking clean between heavier sessions. It's on the pricier side, but its advanced navigation means it rarely gets stuck, offering consistent, reliable cleaning where many robots fall short. With the newer J9+ now available, you might also find the J7+ on sale, making it an even better value.
We're grateful for the object recognition in the Roomba j7+ to avoid accidents made by our pets.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Breath Easy: Understanding Vacuum Filtration
Dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens can accumulate on floors and furniture, exacerbating respiratory issues for allergy-prone individuals. A high-quality filtration system guarantees that these particles are captured and sealed within the vacuum, improving air quality and reducing allergic reactions. Due to the health implications of vacuum filtration, we created a new test metric to assess filter efficacy.
We place a third a cup of flour on the floor and vacuum it up while these two meters measure how much fine dust gets released into the air - giving us a clear idea of how well each vacuum contains our mess.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
During filtration testing, we track the amount of small airborne particles (ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 microns), as these are especially harmful to humans—they can bypass the respiratory system's defenses and reach deep into the lungs, even entering the bloodstream. Generally, the lower the count, the better. As a reference, Dylos, a specialist in air quality monitoring, refers to readings of 75 count or lower as excellent air quality and at the end of the other spectrum, any reading over 3,000 particles as very poor.
Filtration Across Different Vacuum Types
Type
Small Particle Count
Dylos Air Quality Designation
HEPA
Shark Stratos
Upright
9
Excellent
Miele C3
Canister
26
Excellent
Levoit LVAC
Cordless Stick
34
Excellent
✖
Dyson Gen5detect
Cordless Stick
37
Excellent
Samsung Bespoke Jet
Cordless Stick
41
Excellent
✖
Shark AI Ultra Robot
Robot
67
Excellent
✖
iLife V3S Pro Robot
Robot
237
Good
✖
Bissell CleanView
Upright
1,521
Poor
✖
Black+Decker Powerseries+
Cordless Stick
1,542
Poor
✖
Bissell Zing Bagless
Canister
1,953
Poor
✖
Most vacuums do a great job to contain the debris they suck up. However, broad trends show that some budget options are prone to leakages, causing a spike in particulate counts and raising concerns that you should be aware of. We have noted some of our favorite vacuums to compare against the poor contenders mentioned above. Each canister, cordless stick, and upright vacuum is tested in our lab, with results shared on the product's review page and compared against others in its category within our best-in-class review. To learn more information on our new testing, head to our article on how we test each vacuum.
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are often marketed as the gold standard, but they're not the only path to top-tier filtration. While HEPA certification does guarantee strong performance, some proprietary systems can match—or even outperform it. For instance, the Levoit cordless vacuum uses an impressive multi-stage filtration setup that recorded particle levels lower than some HEPA models in our testing.
And it's not just about the filter itself—factors like the quality of seals, the number of filters, and how they're arranged all play a big role in how well a vacuum traps pollutants. Vacuuming is also just the first part of the process; don't forget about dumping the bin and maintenance.
Who It Is Best For: The Samsung Bespoke Jet is ideal for anyone who wants a vacuum that keeps things cleaner—not just on the floor, but throughout the entire cleaning process. It's a great match for allergy sufferers or anyone who's tired of dealing with the mess and dust clouds that come with emptying traditional vacuums. If your home has mostly hard floors or low-pile carpet and you want a low-maintenance, hygienic cleaning routine from start to finish, this vacuum fits the bill.
Why We Love It: What makes this vacuum stand out is its focus on cleanliness throughout the entire process—not just while vacuuming, but during emptying, too. Its self-emptying station transfers debris into a sealed bag at the push of a button, keeping dust and allergens contained. As one tester put it, “The bag can be easily removed and discarded, avoiding the typical plume of dust that explodes when I empty a bagless canister.” It's a thoughtful system that made the vacuum feel more hygienic and hassle-free in day-to-day use.
Should You Buy It? It's pricier than most cordless models, and you'll need to replace the dust bags occasionally. The dock also takes up more space than a standard charging station, and we would've preferred a larger dust bag to cut down on trips to the trash. It also struggled a bit with pet hair on thicker rugs, though its strong suction helps lift stubborn debris—it just takes a few extra passes. Ultimately, your home should be a safe space with clean air—and the Bespoke Jet is a tool that helps make that possible.
There's nothing more rewarding than pushing the button on the Samsung station and seeing the dust and dirt drop from the stick dust bin without having to touch it.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
What About Suction Power?
We constructed a new testing platform to measure the suction power for all vacuums. A differential pressure meter connected by a hose is positioned on the underside of a small hole in the middle of the platform. Measurement units are taken in inches of water that we've converted to pascals to compare vacuum results better.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Suction power is a key factor in how well a vacuum removes dirt, allergens, and debris, especially from carpets. While cordless stick vacuums were once seen as underpowered, many modern models now rival the suction of traditional vacuums.
Suction Power Across Different Vacuum Types
Type
Output
Miele Classic C1
Canister
3957 pascals
Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra
Upright
2389 pascals
Dyson Gen5detect
Cordless Stick
2388 pascals
Dyson V15s Submarine
Cordless Stick
1916 pascals
Eureka Mighty Mite
Canister
1767 pascals
Levoit VortexIQ 40
Cordless Stick
622 pascals
Shark Stratos
Upright
547 pascals
Shark Vertex
Cordless Stick
323 pascals
Shark Navigator Lift Away Deluxe
Upright
124 pascals
Our testing shows suction power varies more by brand than vacuum type, with premium models like Miele and Dyson reaching thousands of pascals—far above budget models that barely top 200. But suction alone doesn't determine performance. Head design, airflow, and intake all play a role, and too much suction can make vacuums harder to push, especially on high-pile carpets. If maneuverability is a concern, look for models with adjustable suction or height settings to balance power with ease of use.
Finding the Best Value Vacuum
Not all of us can afford to dish out hundreds of dollars for a vacuum. Some of us also don't need the flashy features that hike up the costs of our cleaning tools. Below is a selection of our winners from each of the major categories to give you an idea of the costs associated with each vacuum category.
Value Ratings Table
Type
Overall Score
MSRP
Value Rating
Eureka Mighty Mite
Canister
72
$83
1
2
3
4
5
Eureka OmniVerse
Upright
74
$230
1
2
3
4
5
Levoit LVAC-200
Cordless Stick
62
$200
1
2
3
4
5
Miele Classic C1
Canister
81
$349
1
2
3
4
5
Shark Stratos
Upright
76
$388
1
2
3
4
5
Shark Vertex
Cordless Stick
74
$450
1
2
3
4
5
Dyson Gen5detect
Cordless Stick
82
$800
1
2
3
4
5
In general, cordless stick vacuums have higher price tags. They are new to the vacuum world, wielding sophisticated compact batteries and motors that hike up the costs. Canister and upright vacuums are often priced similarly, ranging from $80 to over $500. As you see above, you do not need to compromise performance to get a valuable product. However, there are certainly trade-offs for budget models, so it's important to consider what is important to you.
The Complete C3 is one of the few equipped with an effective HEPA filter.
Beyond cleaning performance, there are many important factors to help solidify your vacuum selection.
Beyond the initial price tag, a vacuum's real value comes from how well it fits into your routine, making cleaning easier, faster, and less of a hassle. Lightweight, maneuverable designs reduce fatigue, and versatile models that adapt to multiple tasks—like stick vacuums that convert to handhelds or uprights with extended reach—can replace the need for extra tools. Additional attachments also extend cleaning to more than just floors, making a better tool for the whole house.
Long-term maintenance also matters: bagless vacuums save on ongoing costs but can be messier to empty, while bagged models are cleaner but require ongoing purchases. Washable filters help cut down on replacements, making them more budget-friendly over time. When you factor in usability, adaptability, and upkeep, the best-value vacuum isn't just about what you pay upfront—it's about how much easier it makes your life.
Our New Testing Process
In this updated review, we've introduced a more in-depth testing process across all vacuum categories to give you clearer, more accurate comparisons. New tests focus on key performance areas like filtration—measuring how well each vacuum contains fine particles—and suction power, giving insight into how efficiently they lift debris. We also now record the percentage of debris each vacuum picks up during cleaning tests, allowing us to directly compare results across models. These improvements help ensure our recommendations are based on real-world performance, not just features on paper.
We tally more than 25 individual tests for each product we test in vacuum categories.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Alongside our objective measurements, like battery life, noise level, and weight, we also spend time observing how each vacuum performs in real use. We look at things like how easy it is to maneuver around furniture, how smoothly it transitions between surfaces, and how simple it is to empty or maintain. This mix of hands-on experience and data-driven testing gives a well-rounded view of each vacuum—highlighting not just how powerful it is, but how it actually feels and functions in everyday cleaning.
We begin by identifying the most common cleaning challenges in real homes, then design a thorough review process to see how well each vacuum tackles those issues.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Why You Should Trust Our Team
Senior Review Analyst Austin Palmer has been at the forefront of vacuum testing from our humble beginnings nearly a decade ago. He is our most experienced tester at GearLab, having tested more than 100 categories since his induction into the testing team. Over the years, he has developed technical expertise with a thorough understanding of real-world user needs. His analytical skill set is crucial for identifying potential flaws and assessing performance under various conditions.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Review Analyst, Rachael Lamore is the mastermind behind our new testing protocols. She has been working hard to provide numbers to all our testing to give a clean comparison of performances. Her technical background working in laboratories helped garner a systematic approach to our testing in our in-house facility. Her strong attention to detail ensures each and every product is held to the same standard.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying vacuums, it's important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, especially if your home features a variety of surfaces and cleaning needs. While some vacuums excel in specific tasks, such as deep carpet cleaning or quick daily sweeps, others are designed for specialized jobs like cleaning up wet messes or tackling pet hair. In many cases, having an arsenal of vacuums can be the most effective approach to staying fully equipped for any situation.
There's plenty to choose from our lineup!
Credit: Abriah Wofford
—Rachael Lamore, Jessica Riconscente, Becca Glades, and Austin Palmer
